P. S. The foregoing have, by reason of bad weather, been detained; have this day received from Col. Thomas the accusation against the prisoners; we shall proceed to trial as soon as possible.

C. J.

February 28.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read March 5, 1776.]

Albany, February 26, 1776.

SIR: I do myself the honour to enclose you a copy of a letter this moment received from General Wooster, by the bearer of this, whom the General sends express to Congress.

I have ordered one hundred and fifty stall-fed oxen to be bought, and have taken such measures as that I hope to get them in Canada soon, and make them draw so much provisions as will pay for their forage, and the sleds that I must purchase for the occasion. I hope to send the General some money to-morrow, together with four hundred barrels of pork, and the cannon, cannon-shot, and shells, &c. What shall I do for blankets and arms for the Pennsylvania, New-Jersey, and Connecticut troops ? The latter will arrive in a few days.

I am, sir, most respectfully, your obedient and humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

Montreal, February 21, 1776.

SIR: The Paymaster has arrived, but has brought nothing but paper money. Our flour is nearly expended; we have not more than enough for the army one week. We can purchase no provisions or wood, or pay for transporting of any thing, without hard cash. We are now not able to pay half the debts we owe the country people. Our credit sinks daily: all the provisions and wood that we want for the army, for two or three months to come, must be purchased and transported to camp by the middle of March; after that time there will probably be no passing for a month or six weeks; these things, therefore, must be provided immediately, or the consequence will be dreadful. I have, therefore, sent Mr. Cole (a young gentleman from Quebeck, who I have employed as a Secretary) on purpose to hasten the forwarding of specie, as a few days may be of infinite consequence.

I am, sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,

DAVID WOOSTER.

JAMES PEANE TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

[Enclosed in General Schuler's, February 26, 1776.—Referred to Mr. Rutledge, Mr. Wythe, Mr. W. Livingston.]

Kanonwaroharo, February 24, 1776.

SIR: The Indians who went to attend the meeting lately held at Niagara are returned, and say that Mr. Butler spoke nothing to them but of peace. I expect there will be a general meeting of the Six-Nations held very soon, at their Central Council-House. The Oneidas are already sent to, to hold themselves in readiness to attend. The Onondagas have advised to postpone sending for Mr. Butler till after the meeting at Onondaga, when it is proposed to send two or three from each tribe on that errand, and the Oneidas, willing to gratify them, have agreed to the proposal.

Onus, alias Governour Penn, has sent to the Six-Nations, inviting them down to Philadelphia in the Spring, and particularly informs them that he calls them down in his own name, without respect to any one else. The Oneidas have detained the message until they shall hear from you, and learn whether you know any thing of the affair, or whether it has your approbation. If you know nothing of the matter, they desire that you would take an opportunity to send to Philadelphia and learn the truth of it, and whenever they have a return from you, they will forward Onus's message, if it be agreeable to you. The Indians are much at a loss to comprehend Onus's design in calling them down to Philadelphia, as they say that Albany is the place appointed for the Six-Nations to treat with their brethren, the white people, upon all matters whatever.

I am, sir, your most obedient, and very humble servant,

JAMES DEANE.

To the Honourable Philip Schuyler, Esq.

P. S. SIR: This instant a messenger is arrived here from Onondaga, desiring the Oneidas to give their immediate attendance at the Central Council-House. An express will be despatched directly to the Mohawk Castle.

J. D.

Albany, February 27, 1776.

SIR: The above is just delivered me. I beg the direction of Congress what answer to give with respect to Governour Penn's request, as it is a matter I dare not decide upon alone. I am, respectfully, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To the Honourable John Hancock, &c., &c.,

JACOB BAYLEY TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Newbury, February 26, 1776.

SIR: The view I had in sending men from hence to Canada, was as follows:

That I had a rumor of General Montgomery's defeat at Quebeck, but no certainty. I wanted to know, that we might do every thing in our power to strengthen and encourage them.

That they in Canada might know that help, even from Cambridge, might be soon and certain with them; and that your Excellency might have some certainty that the plan I proposed to Colonel Little, some time since, to make a road to Canada, by way of Missisque, was not founded on imagination, or not of selfish views, which may be suggested, as I live near the line the road must go.

I have also sent enclosed the journal of the men who went over, as also a copy of my letter to General Wooster, with his answer, to satisfy your Excellency of the view I had; and can further assure your Excellency that a post may go from hence to Montreal without any difficulty or obstruction; ihe point from hence is nearly north-west.

I must beg your Excellency's pardon for troubling you with this letter, and beg leave to subscribe myself your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant,

JACOB BAYLEY.

To His Excellency General Washington.

Newbury, Coos, January 21, 1776.

DEAR SIR: We have, here, the melancholy news of a defeat of General Montgomery, at Quebeck; though we are not certain of the truth of it, yet think it our duty to send men, not only to get intelligence ourselves, but that the situation of affairs in Canada may be known at Head-Quarters, and the quickest way to march from Cambridge to Canada. We are apprehensive that, from hence, men might march to you in six or seven days, which the bearers can inform you. If you have any express to General Washington, in three days from hence we can convey it to him. This is only by the Committee of Haverhill and Newbury, yet you will be so good as to supply them for their return. Nothing new here; only four vessels taken from England, by Captain Manly, and another privateer. This is from the servants of the Colony, and yours.

By order of the Committees of Haverhill and Newbury.

JACOB BAYLEY.

To Brigadier-General Wooster, Montreal.

We, the subscribers, being employed by Colonel Jacob Bayley, and consented to by the Committees of Haverhill and Newbury, did, on the first day of February, instant, set out from Newbury on a journey to Montreal, with a letter to Brigadier-General Wooster.

The journal of our journey is as follows, viz: The first day we went to Mr. Harvey's, twelve miles; from thence, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth days, on a marked road, fifty-nine miles, to Mr. Metcalf's, at Missisque-Bay: the best country for a road either of us ever saw, through any woods of the same length; the snow deep, and very bad snow-shoeing: the seventh day to St. John's; the eighth day to Montreal; tarried two days and a half. The second night on our return lodged at Mr. Metcalfs. The third and fourth day, traveled only one day's march, by reason of hail and rain falling some days before, the crust would not bear without snow-shoes, and bad standing with. The fifth, sixth, and seventh days good, except the trees